Lucerne to Lugano on Gotthard route without boat

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A traveler wants to travel from Lucerne to Lugano on the Gotthard route without taking the 3-hour boat ride. They are considering using regional trains and are looking for the best options around early October.

Key takeaways:

Check the SBB Timetable to plan your route effectively.
Consider taking one of the Intercity or EuroCity trains from Basel to Lugano via Lucerne, as they run frequently.
If you prefer a scenic route, you can take regional trains from Lucerne to Erstfeld or a boat to Flüelen before connecting to the old mountain route.
The Gotthard Panorama Express is an option, but regional trains offer great views at a lower cost.

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Anonymous
Inactive

83524 posts

27 February 2019 at 18:18:49 #820138

I want to travel from Lucerne to Lugano on the Gotthard route, but I do not want the 3 hour boat ride. What are my options? I am not opposed to using regional trains. Expected travel date is October 3 or 4, 2019. Any assistance is appreciated.

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rockoyster
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8872 posts

Reply 1 of 2 • 27 February 2019 at 21:12:54 #905127

Hello MrPay and Welcome to MySwissAlps

Use the SBB Timetable (http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable) to plan your travel. If you are not familiar with using the timetable it will pay to first read the instructions on that page. The route you want is Luzern to Lugano via Göschenen.

Pity about missing the boat leg. It’s the best bit. You don’t have to wait for the Gotthard Panorama Express boat departure. You can take any boat to Flüelen although the traditional paddle steamers are best.

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User
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Reply 2 of 2 • 28 February 2019 at 1:06:55 #905128

Simplest way is one of the Intercity or EuroCity trains Basel – Lugano that run via Luzern, every hour most of the day with a few exceptions

The options on the Gotthard route are:
- Use the new base tunnel (the longest tunnel in the world), the Intercity trains run Arth Goldau – Bellinzona non stop
- Use the old mountain route on ordinary regional trains – for this you take a train from Zurich or Luzern to Erstfeld, or a boat from Luzern to Fluelen then a train Fluelen – Erstfeld, then the regional train Erstfeld – Göschenen – old tunnel – Airolo – Bellinzona – Lugano – Milano
- Use the Gotthard Panorama Express (GPE): any train or boat to Fleulen then the GPE. Personally I don’t think it is worth the extra expense, as the regional trains have large windows

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